Voice UK star wins inheritance dispute with her viscount brother
March 7th 2022The aristocratic singer and TV star Bo Bruce has won a court battle against her brother Thomas Brudenell-Bruce, Viscount Savernake, over their inheritance after their mother died. Rebecca Armstrong Associate Solicitor reports on this recent case. Bruce, whose full title is Lady Catherine Anna Brudenell-Bruce, was a runner up on the TV series, The Voice and has had chart success with the top 10 album, Before I Sleep. She and her…
Changes to divorce law will come into effect in April 2022
March 3rd 2022Changes to divorce law will come into effect from 6th April 2022. The government is also introducing a new online service to help couples adapt to the changes. Julian Nelson, Director in our Family Law Team provides an update. Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 reforms the legal requirements and process for divorce. The act aims to reduce the potential for conflict amongst…
Man’s second wife fails to stop his son inheriting family home
February 10th 2022A man’s second wife has failed to prevent his son inheriting the family home after he died. Stephanie Johnson Senior Associate Solicitor reports on this recent case. The husband had married his first wife in 1988 and their son was born shortly afterwards. He worked overseas during the early 2000s, where he formed a relationship with a second woman who lived in the Philippines. He separated from his wife and the…
Major Changes to The Highway Code – What you need to know
February 8th 2022On January 29, 2022, major changes to The Highway Code came into force which will impact all road users – but it seems many drivers are unaware. Thinking it over with Carol Fish, Director & Head of Serious and Catastrophic Injury. If you haven’t looked at a copy of The Highway Code since passing your driving test, then I would suggest that now is the time to revisit it. The move is part…
Partner loses appeal against age discrimination ruling
February 4th 2022A former partner in an accountancy firm has lost his appeal against a ruling that he had brought an age discrimination claim out of time. Joanne Stronach, Head of Employment and HR, reports on this recent case. The case involved Philip Parr and MSR Partners LLP (formerly Moore Stephens LLP). Parr had been an equity partner of the firm when it was Moore Stephens. The LLP Members’ Agreement provided for all…
Businesses warned over cutting sick pay for isolating unvaccinated employees
February 3rd 2022EMPLOYERS should think carefully before reducing sick pay for isolating unvaccinated staff, says a leading employment solicitor. Joanne Stronach, who is Head of Employment Law and HR at Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors, said employers could put themselves at risk of contract or discrimination claims if they introduce rules without first seeking legal advice. The warning comes after several national companies including Ikea and Morrisons cut sick pay for unvaccinated staff who…
Government extends use of video-witnessed wills until 2024
January 31st 2022The government is to allow vulnerable people to continue to be able to have their wills witnessed via video-link until 2024. Ingrid Fraser, solicitor in our Wills, Probate & Inheritance team, provides an update. The move extends measures brought in because of the pandemic. It’s designed to help people who are forced to isolate either with Covid or from another vulnerability. Ministers hope it will reassure all those who need…
Lecturer sacked for being too loud wins unfair dismissal claim
January 24th 2022A university lecturer was unfairly dismissed after she was accused of being ‘unnaturally loud’. Jennifer Cafferky, solicitor in our employment team, reports on this recent case. The case involved Dr Annette Plaut, who was an experimental physics lecturer at the university of Exeter until she was fired in 2019. She had been at the university since 1990. Her style involved leading many heated discussions which included expressive gestures, hand movements and…
Driver who thought his son was faking Covid wins dismissal case
January 13th 2022A forklift operator who was sacked for attending work after his son contracted Covid has won his claim of unfair dismissal. He said he believed his son was just faking symptoms. Joanne Stronach Head of Employment and HR reports on this recent case. David Lewis had worked for The Benriach Distillery Company for 23 years with a clean disciplinary and attendance record. In February 2021, his line manager learnt that Lewis’…
New Year Resolutions to protect your future and your family
January 6th 2022January is the time for making resolutions to give ourselves a fresh start for the New Year. Jane Oakley a member of our Wills, Probate & Inheritance team reports. It’s good to take stock and decide to eat less or exercise more but there’s so much more we could be doing to improve our lives and protect ourselves for the future. Here are three New Year Resolutions relating to the law…
